Average hiking time: About 2 hours | Distance: About 4 km | Difficulty: Very Easy
This shaded trail inside Lion Rock Country Park takes you just high enough for expansive views over the Kowloon Reservoir, the central New Territories mountain range, and bustling Kowloon Peninsula. Up close, see stunning flora and bird life — it is the roosting place for Black Kites — and some monkey business, too.
Completed in 1910, Kowloon Reservoir was the first in the New Territories and has a unique curved design. Climb up Golden Hill Road and Piper’s Hill Road until you reach Eagle’s Nest Nature Trail. Follow the trail next to the stream, keeping to the left, up an easy stone path continuing along MacLehose Trail Section 5.
Follow the signs and climb up the stone staircase to a pavilion on MacLehose Trail Section 5. You can capture panoramic views of Kowloon sprawling below. Stay to the right to follow Eagle’s Nest Nature Trail.
Keep an eye out for the near-threatened Ailanthus Tree, with long, pointed, dark green leaves and white-to-yellow fluffy clusters. Along Eagle's Nest Nature Trail you may also see the Shiuying Bamboo that has so far been found nowhere else in the world. Sharp-eyed hikers will spot the Silverback Artocarpus, a dark green leafy tree with clusters of inedible fruit that range in colour from green to orange.
Walk down Piper’s Hill Road back to the bus stop on Tai Po Road, keeping an eye out for monkeys and wild boars.
Vending machines for drinks can be found when you alight from the bus on Tai Po Road.
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